Happy Bright Carvers Day!

Today is the Day of the Bright Carvers, according to Mervyn Peake’s GORMENGHAST novels.

Today is the day that the Bright Carvers (who take their name from the age-old craft of woodcarving, which is their only passion), a poor a disease-ridden community whose only pride is their carving and in their allegiance to the House of Groan, are permitted to enter Castle Gormenghast to present their best work. The carvings are judged by the Earl of Groan, and the finest are taken and set up in the Hall of the Bright Carvings, a long room in the north wing of the castle. No one ever visits the hall; the masterpieces are simply left there to gather dust over the years. All rejected works are burnt in the courtyard below the earl’s chamber. The carvers whose efforts have been chosen are given vellum scrolls and the privilege of walking the battlements above the Dwellings (their homes) at the full moon of each alternate month. This is their only reward, an honour greatly prized by the Bright Carvers.

Happy Bright Carvers Day!